In a year of censure of bishop Nikandr nobody in Harbin could foresee, that in the summer of 1948 metropolitan Nestor could have trouble - sudden arrest and?wrong? judgment with verdict that will lead?him to about 8 years in torture chambers of GULAG [28]. Temporary management of Harbin diocese and management of Exarchate have been concentrated in hands of Vladyka Nikandr. Last circumstance (management of Exarchate) forced him to feel uneasiness, because he was in fact actually vicar bishop, he has been compelled to give orders to archbishop Victor of Beijing — who was higher in the rank and censure to the eparchial bishop. Such deviation from church ethics morally oppressed Vladyka Nikandr, because to this bishop of God he had long felt deep respect.
In October of 1949, by declaration of the People's Republic of China, civil war in China has come to an end. A situation in the country has essentially cleared, the communications of Manchuria with Beijing restored, and the Moscow Patriarchate had settled the non-resolved problems of East-Asian Exarchate.
As to religious policy alas, from new owners of the country, nothing good could be expected. Vladyka Nikandr and Vladyka Victor distinctly understood this. Their coordinated position was based on the interests of Orthodoxy in China, and the post of Ekzarh should have a young and energetic bishop specially sent from the USSR [29]. Calculation was that the Chinese authorities would not oppose "the protégé of Moscow". However, in session of the Sacred Synod which was taken place on August 17, 1950, which was attended by archbishop Victor, other reasons have prevailed.
The patriarchal Decree from October 22, 1950, №1170 by the Exarch of East Asia and the Chief of Russian Spiritual Mission in the People's Republic of China - Archbishop Victor (Svjatin) of Beijing and China was appointed, and the deputy chief of Mission - Bishop Nikandr (Victorov) of Qiqihar [30]. Then the Most holy Patriarch Alexy has awarded Bishop Nikandr with the special document with the following text: "It is given to Right Reverend Bishop Nikandr of Qiqihar in blessing for assiduous works in glory of the Holy Church" [31]. Nevertheless, the destiny of the diociese of Harbin and Manchuria has not been determined by the Patriarchal Decree. Formally its head continued to remain Metropolitan Nestor who was in imprisonment.
On November 17, 1950 in General Consulate of the USSR in Harbin, for delivery to Bishop Nikandr came one more decree of the Most holy Patriarch dated October 2, 1950 № 1344:
"In session of the Sacred Synod under Chairmanship of the PATRIARCH on August 18, 1950
LISTENED: To Report of Right Reverend Metropolitan Nikolai about East-Asian Exarchate.
HAVE DECIDED: To specify §2 decisions of the Sacred Synod from August 17 of this year to appoint Right Reverend Bishop NIKANDR (Victorov) to the Deputy chief of Mission and the Assistant to the Patriarchal Exarch of East-Asian Exarchate, with the rank of Bishop of Harbin and Manchuria" [32.]
[28] Razzhigaeva N.P. Non extinguished candle // Russian Atlantida. - Chelyabinsk, 2000. № 3. — pages 3-11.
[29] Priest D. Pozdnyaev. Orthodoxy in China. The Internet.
[30] In the same place.
[31] Document of the most holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis. Korostelev family archive.
[32] A copy of the Decree of the most holy Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia from October 2, 1950, № 1344. Korostelev family archive.